Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-09-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our regular corrcspondont.)

WASHINGTON, II. g., Sept. ~, lSSi.
That the action of the Government In Is
suing call for the purchase of fourteen
millions In bonds was wise and timely Is
the opinion Of able and experienced hnan-
ciers In all portions of the country, and there
Is also n general feeling that financial
crisis was narrowly averted-due directly
10 the constant and enormous absorption of
the currency by the immense surplus that
continues TO accumulate with startling per
sistency. know of certain staunch and ex'
tensive business firms, in some great COM
mercial centres of the Union, that were ab
solutely unable TO place loans, with the best
collateral, ut 20 per cent. The ready re
sponse to the Treasury's measure of relief
has been 80 satisfactory that it Is believed
that there will be no further tightness gene
rally seriously felt in the money market
until Congress will have the opportunity 10
provide permanently for the country iinan-
cial ills, brought on by the canker- worm of
our body politic-the Treasury surplus
our troublesome heritage from the unsound
fiscal policy Of the Republicans.
The President and Secretary Bayard had
a conference lasting nearly n day, the past
week during which several congressman
were denied audience, and il is supposed
that some affair of grave import-perhaps n
der discussion, though nothing has yet
transpired 10 indicate the subject matter Of
the consultation.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue Is
preparing n statement that will show 10
what extent the Government receipts would
be decreased by n total repeal of the inter
nal revenue taxes, and the result, 80 far, is
interesting in one aspect, at least as show
ing n decided change in the bibulous ten
denotes and inclinations of the citizens of
the United States. 1t appears that as CON-
pared with the previous fiscal year there has
been s great falling of in the manufacture
of whiskey-the decreased taxation amount
ing 10 nearly three millions and three
quarters-the decline having been noticed
for q number of years past But, on the
other hand, the manufacture Of beer Is so
rapidly increasing that It may be termed
the national beverage,-the increasing tax
alton of the past year showing gain of n
bout two million and half dollars over the
preceding year. At an early date the Com
missioner proposes to have an analytical
test made of every brand of American beer,
rs il is alleged that many brewers use more
alcohol in making their beer than the law
allows hence tits thought the analysis will
causea sensation. The Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue states it rs his beliefthat the
steady decrease III the manufacture of dis
titled spirits is due TO the rapid growth of
temperance reform in this country.
While all is SO quiet in politics-this be-
ing an off year-it may startle, IL it does not
awe your readers, that n new Presidential
ticket, and wonderful combination il Is,
too linking as il does two of the great
names of the nation, has been launched here
in the Capital. And well may President
Cleveland, as he realizes the strength of
this combine" quake in his boots, rs he
sees his vision of second term vanish into
thin air, for how does he dare To oppose the
Presidential aspirations ofthose mighty men
of renown, those eminent statesmen who
will favorably compare with the fathers of
the Republic-Lincoln and Douglass Yes,
| repeat it, Robert Lincoln and Frederick
Douglas The glorious deed was done at
banquet given 10 Douglas. the -iut.fi"1t""1
giant or fIIc negro race, ON the anniversary
Of emancipation day, and though, by
strange coincidence, Robert, the son of his
father, happened to be in this city at
the same time, do not know that he Is
committed 10 the movement, yet his presence
here on such an occasion may be significant.
The frisky and wayward Riddleberger,
feeling that he has been snubbed by his Re-
publican Senatorial associates threatens to
give the majority trouble next winter by
voting with the Democrats and tying the
Senate whenever IL suits the whim OF the
erratic Virginian, which judging from his
past course, will be quite often. Riddle
berger will be tho pivotal power of the
Senate, and he will make the most of his
exceptional opportunity TO keep the Re
publicans in n constant state of suspense.